Recommended Long Weekend: Canada Day; Civic Day; Labour Day; Canadian Thanksgiving Day
Distance from Toronto: 325 miles (520 km)
Pittsburgh is famous for its steel industry and is still widely referred as the “Steel City”. Its home American football team is also called “Steelers”. In many people’s mind, Pittsburgh is still a place full of Industrial Revolution factories with high and smoking chimneys.
In fact, among those old industrial cities in north-east America, Pittsburgh should be the most successful one in transition. Nowadays, clean and prosperous urban replaced the high chimneys, commercial and service industries replaced the heavy industry. Pittsburgh has become one of “the Most Liveable” cities in America ever since 1980s.
Overview of Pittsburgh
Founded in 1758, Pittsburgh is located at the southwest corner of Pennsylvania, halfway between New York City and Chicago and is only a half-day drive from Toronto area. The city is on the Allegheny Plateau, where the confluence of the Allegheny River from the northeast and Monongahela River from the southeast form the Ohio River. With a population of 330,000, Pittsburgh is the second largest city of Pennsylvania after Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh can be broken down into the Downtown area, which is the area between the rivers known as the Golden Triangle, and four other main areas surrounding downtown known as the North Side, South Side, East End, and West End. The East End extends northeast to include the Oakland section, which is home to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Museums and Library, and many other educational, medical, and cultural institutions.
Greater Pittsburgh Area also covers all neighbouring counties where some other top attractions are located. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, named one of “50 places of a lifetime” by National Geographic Traveler, is located about 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh’s economy was traditionally fuelled by heavy manufacturing especially steel industry. Beginning in the 1980s, the city shifted its economic base to education, healthcare, medicine, services, and of course tourism. Today, Pittsburgh still maintains its status as a corporate headquarters city, with seven Fortune 500 companies calling the city home. Heinz and Westinghouse are among them.
The transition makes Pittsburgh one of the cleanest cities in the world claimed by Forbes magazine. Pittsburgh is also claimed the most liveable city in 2007 by “Places Rated Almanac”. The survey also noted that Pittsburgh is the only city to finish in the top 20 every year. In 2005, The Economist ranked Pittsburgh and Cleveland the most liveable cities in the United States, and tied the cities for 26th world-wide.
The city’s geographical location is definitely one of its most stunning features, with rivers, hills and valleys coming together. There are 446 bridges of all types throughout the city, and Pittsburgh is also called “The Bridge Capital of USA”.Thank you for visiting our new Internet site. As an up-to-date business, we want to give you the opportunity to stay in touch with our company and our offers. A new content management system will enable us to always keep you up to date.
Pittsburgh area is rich mainly in historical and cultural attractions. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh offer four high-end museums while University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University are world renowned universities. All these museums and universities were originally funded by Andrew Carnegie, who created Pittsburgh’s legend of steel industry. The downtown area also offers some very unique attractions. The following itinerary is suggested when you visit Pittsburgh.
On the first day, you leave for Pittsburgh in the morning. You should probably arrive at Pittsburgh around 2:00 pm, and then you visit downtown Pittsburgh, Mount Washington, and take the unique Ducky Boat Tour to end the day. Downtown Pittsburgh is compact and neat featuring public parks and many skyscrapers. Taking the oldest cable car in operation in US to Mount Washington to have a breathtaking bird view of Pittsburgh’s skyline is a must. Just Ducky Tour is a unique experience to ride a real World War II amphibious vehicle.
You will spend the whole second day at Oakland, the academic and cultural center of Pittsburgh. You will stroll around different cultures in Cathedral of Learning, the second-tallest education building in the world, at the University of Pittsburgh in the morning, and then you will visit Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History in the afternoon.
On the third day, you will see more than 600 different birds at National Aviary in Pittsburgh in the morning. National Aviary in Pittsburgh is America’s only independent indoor non-profit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds. On your way back to Toronto, you may stop at Grove City Prime Outlets to shop for bargains. You will need the whole afternoon to drive back Toronto.
Pittsburgh is a medium-sized city and almost all attractions are within 20 minutes drive. Of note, driving in Pittsburgh is more challenging than in most other cities in USA. Due to its landscape of mountains and rivers, the transportation system involves many tunnels, bridges, sharp turns, and complex overpasses. In some area, the road system is almost three dimensional and the streets here are neither immediate north-south nor east-west. Pay extra attention when you drive here.
Although Downtown Pittsburgh is tight and compact, it is a place of scenic, historic and amply endowed with art and entertainment. Like other big cities, it also features many skyscrapers, 9 of which top 500 feet. You can make a self-guided downtown tour if you focus only on the best attractions recommended here.
Right after you drive across Veterans Bridge on I-579, take ramp towards 7th Avenue/Convention Center. Turn right (west) for one block, you will hit Grant Street at 7th Avenue. Here is the starting point of the downtown tour. You’ll browse all the skyscrapers on Grant Street first, then stroll around Market Square like a Pittsburgher, and finally visit the Point State Park where the city took its root.
Grant Street is Pittsburgh’s power alley, home to 3 highest buildings in Pittsburgh situate on this street.
At the corner of Grant Street and 7th Avenue situate the Gulf Tower (built in 1932, 582 feet, 44-story), 6th tallest building in Pittsburgh, built as the headquarters for the Gulf Oil Company. The crown of the Gulf Tower is modeled in the style of a step pyramid.
On the diagonal corner from the Gulf Tower, the rusty, triangular building of U.S. Steel Tower (built in 1970, 841 feet, 70-story) is Pittsburgh’s tallest building. One of Fortune 500 Corporations, US Steel sets its world headquarter here.
Across Strawberry Way is First Lutheran Church of 1888 in the style of Victorian Gothic. Cross Oliver Avenue, you can see the second tallest One Mellon Center (built in 1983, 725 feet, 54 stories) which houses the global headquarters of the Mellon Financial Corporation. Prominent features of the building include its eight-sided design, mansard roof and rooftop heliport.
At the corner of Grant Street and Forbes Street, you will see Allegheny County Courthouse. Many architectural historians regard it as the finest public building in the United States.
Till here, the Grant Street part is finished. You can drive west onto Forbes Street. After you pass Cherry Way, Smithfield Street and Wood Street respectively, you will arrive at the Market Square.
In the 1790s, Market Square was home to market stalls and the first Allegheny County Courthouse. Now, Market Square is home to a selection of restaurants, specialty shops, benches, and red-brick floor. This is a nice place to just sit and take a break. On weekends, it should not be hard to find a street parking spot here. Get some American quarters ready for meter parking.
Follow the red-brick walkway towards the huge tower, the centerpiece of PPG Place, which is also the third tallest building in Pittsburgh. The complex’s six glass buildings include a 40-story, 635-foot-high tower, which resembles London’s Houses of Parliament. PPG Industries, the world-renowned glass manufacturer that made all 19,750 pieces of glass used in the complex, has its headquarters here. Another Fortune 500 Corporation, H.J. Heinz Co. has chosen PPG Place for its world headquarters as well in 2008. One building complex accommodates two Fortune 500 corporations’ world headquarters should be unique in the world.
Actually, PPG Place is right located at the brink of the Point State Park. The Park is located right at the tip of downtown Pittsburgh, at the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River. Point State Park, a National Historic Landmark, offers a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, with a paved promenade circling the rivers, a 150-foot tall fountain, and beautiful landscaped grounds for strolling. The park is free but the Fort Pitt Museum located within the park does charge an admission fee.
Now, pick up your car and turn west along Fourth Avenue and turn right (South) onto Smithfield Street. Then, you will cross the Smithfield Street Bridge, which was the first river bridge in the city, to reach the South End of Pittsburgh. Station Square is the place where you can take the oldest operating inclines in USA, overlook downtown on top of Mount Washington, and ride on the unique Ducky Boat.
2. Inclines
Picture 10‑4: Duquesne Incline and Downtown Pittsburgh. Materials copyrighted by the National Scenic Byways Online at www.byways.orgAlmost everyone who comes to Pittsburgh ends up on Mount Washington to take in the breathtaking view. The most interesting way to get on the top of the mountain is certainly via one of the city’s two remaining inclines – the hillside cable cars inching up and down the mountain.
Opened in 1870, the Monongahela Incline – called the Mon Incline by locals – is the oldest and steepest incline in the United States, as well as the nation’s oldest cable car in operation. The Monongahela Incline was consolidated into Pittsburgh’s public transportation in 1964 and declared a historic structure by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation in 1970. The incline reaches 369.39 feet elevation along 625 feet long rail with the capable of accommodating 23 passengers. The lower station of the Monongahela Incline is located near the Smithfield Street Bridge, and is easily accessible from Station Square.
Duquesne Incline, 0.7 mile further west along Carson Street, (1220 Grandview Ave.; 412-381-1665; fare is the same as Monongahela), built in 1877, travels a total of 800 feet up the hillside to reach an elevation of 400 feet. Both inclines will scurry you up the hill and deposit you atop Mount Washington, where you can have bird views of downtown Pittsburgh.
General Information Address: East Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA Hours: Monday to Saturday, 5:30 am - 12:45 am; Sundays and Holidays, 8:45 am - midnight Fares: $2 cash fare each way (roundtrip $2.50 with transfer valid for three hours); $1 Child (age 6-11) or Disabled Phone: (412) 361-0873 Website: www.portauthority.org/PAAC/Schedules/Inclines/tabid/119/Default.aspx Parking: Station Square West Parking Facility (www.west.stationsquareparking.com) is close to both Monongahela Incline and the Ducky Tour dock. $5 flat rate all day if enter before 11:00 am; $6 flat rate all day if enter after 11:00 am
3. Mount Washington
Picture 10‑5: breathtaking view of Pittsburgh from Mount Washington
US Weekend’s 2003 Annual Travel Report ranked Mount Washington the second most beautiful place in America. In a nation with a wealth of stunning cities, ranking Mount Washington as the No. 2 beauty spot is perhaps the most surprising choice. However, you probably won’t feel the Mount is overrated when you are actually standing on top of it. The stunning view of Mount Washington features a sweeping panorama of downtown Pittsburgh circled with rivers and bridges and the surrounding countryside. The landmark skyscrapers of Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle are nestled at the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers flow together to create the mighty Ohio River.
You can walk along Grandview Avenue which follows the entire length of the hill overlooking Pittsburgh, with many beautiful glimpses of the city between restaurants and homes. For a closer look, there are four overlook decks jutting out over the mountain at various points along the street. After the overview, take the Monongahela Incline again to go back hill foot.
If you want a bit more challenge, you can walk along Grandview Avenue westward until you get to Duquesne Incline, and then take the Duquesne Incline to get down. This is about 1.5 miles’ walk in total.
4. Just Ducky Tour
The starting point of the Just Ducky Boat Tour is located just 200 yards away from Monongahela Incline at Station Square. The Square is a mixed use facility incorporating restaurants, stores, night clubs and office space. The Just Ducky Tour provides one hour tour of the city via a World War II amphibious vehicle with one driver and one tour guide on board.
Picture 10‑6: every kid has chance to drive the Ducky Boat
The Ducky Boat first travels through the city’s business district past local government buildings, the headquarters of the area’s Fortune 500 companies and the Cultural District. Then, the bus type vehicle actually goes into the river like a boat. You can have very close view of the Point State Park and its fountain. Once in the water, the driver offers to let anyone, mostly kids, drive the “Duck” in turn.
The tour guides are kind and very funny. They take you along the streets of the city telling you about the history as you go. They are proud to introduce that Pittsburgh produced 95 million tons of steel during World War II. Then, they are even prouder to tell you that Pittsburgh produces 0 ton of steel nowadays to show how wonderful Pittsburgh did in transition.
By the way, the driver and tour guide can quack amazingly like real ducks. Quacking and having fun are also required for visitors and most pedestrians on the street will quack back at you.
In summer, try to reserve the tour at 6:00 pm, this can leave yourself enough buffer time while you are visiting downtown and Mount Washington. Generally, the tour is a big fun itself and also a great way to recap what you saw today.
General Information Address: Station Square, 5 Station Square E, Pittsburgh, PA Seasons/Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 6:00 pm; Daily from April 10th through October; Weekends only in November * In summer time, an extra tour starting at 7:00 pm could be available. Admission: Adults - $19; Children 3 to 12 - $15; Children 2 and Under - $5 Phone: (412) 402-3825 Fax: (412) 697-0759 Email: Duckytours@aol.com Website: http://www.justduckytours.com Reservations: Not required but strongly recommended Length of Tour: Approximately one hour
The Cathedral of Learning is an educational building at University of Pittsburgh, located at Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Blvd., Oakland section of Pittsburgh. The entrance to Cathedral of Learning is on the Fifth Avenue side.
Nationality Classrooms, about 30 classrooms in total, represent the cultures of ethnic groups, mostly European and Asian, in Pittsburgh. About 20 rooms are on the 1st floor, the rest are on the 3rd floor. Every room is decorated with motifs representing respective culture of different nations.
Most Central and Eastern European rooms are decorated in folk motifs and natural woods. The Ukrainian Room features a ceramic stove, Hungarian Room features stained glass windows representing composer Liszt and other artists, while Romanian classroom is in Byzantine-era style. In contrast to the folk rooms, some rooms are quite refined, such as the Syrian-Lebanese Room. The room is so elegant with its myriad of gold overlay and ivory that you can only peek through the glass. Another elaborate room is the Chinese Room decorated with Chinese furniture, Chinese lanterns and the portrait of most-renowned Chinese figure in the world, Confucius.
Although most visitors come to see Nationality Rooms inside the building of Cathedral of Learning, the building itself is also a masterpiece. What make the Cathedral of Learning outstanding are its symbolic Gothic-style cathedral shape and its extraordinary height. With its 42 stories and 535 feet height, it’s the second tallest educational building in the world, second to a structure at Moscow State University only. It’s also the 7th tallest building in the whole Pittsburgh. Its churchly first floor is 100-foot-wide-by-200-foot-long, three-story high Common Room. Students can be seen tapping on laptops and reading books at its long wooden benches. Actually, the Cathedral of Learning also hosts several departments, administrative offices, and libraries and is being used everyday like a regular education building.
In order to tour the building and the rooms better, try to arrive not late than 10:30 am (officially, Nationality Rooms open at 11:00 am on Sundays). You can visit the outside of the building, the Common Room and then the Nationality Rooms on the 3rd floor which is open earlier. At 11:00 am, go to the reception office on the main hallway on the first floor. After you pay admission fee, the attendant will give you a master key to open all the rooms, a map, and an audio tape. You can proceed to visit the rest nationality rooms on the first floor.
Generally, the Cathedral of Learning and the Nationality Rooms are both amazing. Without actually seeing them, it’s hard to believe that even classrooms can be so amazingly different. Attendants here are nice and helpful and the rooms are well maintained, though dust can still be seen on chairs and tables in some rooms. Try to finish your visit before 12:00 pm, so you can leave yourself enough time to visit both the Carnegie Art Museum and Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
General Information Address: The Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave. (Fifth Ave. and Bigelow Blvd.), Pittsburgh, PA How to Get Here: If you come from the direction of downtown, the best way is taking I-376 [US-22] west - At Exit 2A, drive onto Forbes Avenue for about 1.2 miles - Make a left turn at Bigelow Blvd. Seasons/Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm (last tour); Sunday, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (last tour). Check the website for holiday hours. Admission: Adults - $3; Children 8-18 - $1; Children 7 & under - Free Phone: (412) 624-6000 Website: http://www.umc.pitt.edu/tour/tour-080.html or http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms Parking: There is no parking at the Cathedral of Learning, but there are several public parking lots and plenty street parking on both Forbes and Fifth Ave. near the Cathedral. Street parking is free on Sundays.
The Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History are located just one block east of Cathedral of Learning on Forbes Street. The two museums are connected and included with one single admission. Try to arrive at the entrance once the museums are open (12:00 pm), or you don’t have enough time to finish both.
1. Carnegie Museum of Art
Established in 1895 from the personal collection of Andrew Carnegie, the museum features distinguished masterpieces of French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and 19th-century American art. With more than 70,000 objects, the museum is widely considered as top 10 art museums in USA along with Metropolitan Museum in New York City and National Art Gallery in Washington D.C.
Here you will find paintings, sculpture, decorative arts objects, works on paper, photographs, as well as objects in the collection of the Heinz Architectural Center. Among them, Scaife Gallery and the Hall of Architecture should be the highlights here.
The large collection of paintings from old masters, such as van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Picasso, shares space with works by contemporary artists in the Scaife Gallery. Claude Monet’s 6 meters long, 2 meters wide Nymphéas (Water Lilies) is the most impressive one. In addition to collections themselves, most paintings contain a detailed descriptive text.
The Hall of Architecture steps back in time with more than 140 life-size plaster casts of architectural masterpieces and sculptures from around the world. The Carnegie Museum of Art’s collection survives today as the largest architectural cast collection in USA, rivaled internationally only by collections in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and in the Musee National des Monuments Français, Paris.
The building itself (combined with the Museum of Natural History) is stunning – majestic columns, open public spaces, long hallways, and cozy galleries.
Not like other world-renowned museums, the visitors look thinner here. There are enough seats where you can sit down as long as you want. Detailed introduction brochures to each painting are available at the gate of each gallery. Audio guides are also free. Generally, the museum is spacious, very clean, well designed and well managed.
Picture 10‑12:Self-Portrait by Paul Cézanne at Carnegie Museum of ArtAnother good thing about the Carnegie Museum of Art is that it makes art interesting. It has a place where kids can make their own arts with the material provided and guidance of assistants. That’s one reason why Child Magazine ranked the Carnegie Museum of Art at #5 in its March 2006 “10 Best Art Museums for Kids.”
General Information Address: 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Closed Mondays, plus some holidays. Admission: Adults - $15; Seniors (65+) - $12; Students /Children ages 3–18 - $11; Children under 3 – Free. Admission includes same-day access to both the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Phone: (412) 622-3131 Website: http://www.cmoa.org Photo Policy: Allowed but no flashlight and tripod Parking: The museum operates a six-level parking facility, with access at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and South Craig Street. Evening and weekend flat rate, $5
2. Carnegie Museums of Natural History
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is one of the six largest natural history museums in USA, with more than 20 million specimens from all areas of natural history and anthropology. Highlights of the collection include the Hall of Dinosaurs, the Hall of North American Wildlife (an extensive gallery complete with a full-size stuffed animals), and the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems (one of the foremost collections of gems and minerals in the world). Each one of their exhibits is fantastic for its kind. Adults and children will find something to enjoy in this museum.
Called the “home of the dinosaurs” for its famed skeletons of Tyrannosaurus rex, Diplodocus carnegii (Dippy), and other extraordinary fossils, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is the world’s third-largest repository of dinosaur fossils. You’ll find more publicly displayed dinosaur skeletons here than anywhere else in the world.
One of the nice things is that since this museum shares the same building with the Carnegie Museum of Art, you get same day admission to both museums. And when you get hungry, you can go the Carnegie Cafe which provides good food at a reasonable price. This is a great museum that should not be missed.
General Information Address: the same building as Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA Hours: The same as Carnegie Museum of Art Admission: Included in the admission to Carnegie Museum of Art Phone: (412) 622-3131 Website:http://www.carnegiemnh.org Parking: Same as Carnegie Museum of Art Photo Policy: Allowed but no flashlight and tripod.
1. National Aviary in Pittsburgh
The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is located on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side, just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. If you come from the west via I-279, take the I-279/North Shore exit onto the Fort Duquesne Bridge. Take the North Shore exit to the left. At the stoplight, turn right onto Allegheny Avenue. At the second stoplight, turn right onto Western Avenue. At the third stoplight, turn left onto Arch Street. The National Aviary will be on your left.
National Aviary’s diverse collection comprises more than 600 birds representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild. The Aviary is America’s only indoor non-profit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds. A variety of natural and free-flight exhibits allow visitors a close-up view of the birds including American robins, bluejays, toucans, bold eagles, snow owls, cranes, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, and a lot of different parrots. The birds represent nearly every continent, with an emphasis on rainforest and wetland habitats.
The most favourite room here is probably the Wetlands, which is predictably warm, wet and filled with jungle kinds of plants. Standing on the little bridge overlooking the wetlands, you can watch flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills and numerous other birds resting, preening and eating. The feel and smell of the damp green humidity, the sometimes unusual calls of birds, the rustling in the foliage, and even the occasional slippery bird droppings on the ground (watch where you step) made you image how these birds live in the wild. Bird feeding demonstration is held several times a day here. During brief training of birds’ feeding, everybody is encouraged to participate in the feeding demonstration.
There is also a big and very impressive section demonstrating extinct birds. The biggest egg in the world laid by extinct elephant bird is on display. In general, the National Aviary at Pittsburgh is a great place to learn about all types of exotic birds even for adults. The place is clean, well-structured and well-managed. It’s the kind of the attraction that you can hardly see anywhere else. This is a must in Pittsburgh.
General Information Address: 700 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, PA Seasons/Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm except for Christmas Admission: Adults - $10; Seniors (over 60) and Students - $9; Children ages 2-12 - $8.50; Children under 2 - Free. Mondays are Senior Discount Days, where seniors save 1/3 off the regular senior price. Phone: (412) 323-7235 Website: http://www.aviary.org Parking: In the morning, the Aviary’s free parking lot should have plenty space
2. Grove City Prime Outlets Shopping
Located 50 miles north of Pittsburgh, Grove City Prime Outlets is rated as one of the top 20 Outlet Centers in the United States by Value Retail News in August, 2007. It’s a much bigger outlet than most other outlets in USA with over 140 brand names.
Grove City Prime Outlets’ website has coupons for various brands which offer additional discount. You can print out before you go. You can also stop by the Customer Service Desk and pick up the similar money-saving coupons.
General Information Address: 1911 Leesburg Grove City Road, Intersection of I-79 & SR-208, Mercer, PA How to Get Here: Depart National Aviary in Pittsburgh – Drive onto North Ave (EAST) for 0.6 mile – Take the ramp onto I-279 north for 11.6 miles – Merge onto I-79 north for 40.9 miles – At exit 113, turn RIGHT onto SR-208 (Leesburg Grove City Road) for the last 1 mile Seasons/Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm; Sunday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Closed on Easter Sunday, American Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day Phone: (724) 748-3875; (888) 545-7221 Fax: (724) 748-4944 Website: www.primeoutlets.com/grove-city
Afternoon: Drive Back TorontoGrove City Outlet Mall is sitting right beside I-79, so driving to Toronto is an easy, all-way-highway drive. The detailed driving instructions are as follows: From: Grove City Outlet Mall, PA To: Hwy-401 & Hwy-404,Toronto Driving Distance: 271.2 miles Time: 4 hours, 14 minutes
DistanceInstruction 0.0 Depart Grove City Outlets on SR-208 [Leesburg Grove City Rd] (East) for 0.3 mile 0.3 Take Ramp (LEFT) onto I-79 for 64.6 miles towards Erie, PA 64.8 At exit 178A, take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-90 for 94.2 miles towards Buffalo 159.0 At exit 53, take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-190 for 6.9 miles towards Downtown Buffalo/Canada 165.9 At exit 9, turn RIGHT onto Ramp follow the signs for 1.3 miles towards Peace Bridge/Canada 166.8 Entering Ontario through Peace Bridge 166.8 Road name changes to QEW for 86.1 miles 252.0 At exit 139, keep RIGHT onto Hwy-427 for 4.2 miles towards Hwy-401/Pearson Airport 256.2 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto Hwy-401 Express for 15 miles towards Hwy-404 271.2 Arrive Hwy-401& Hwy-404, TorontoAccommodation
Author’s Personal Choice: Motel 6 Pittsburgh at Crafton
In Pittsburgh area, Motel6 at Crafton could be the most economical and also the most convenient one, only 6 miles to downtown, Pittsburgh. The building and facilities are not new, but rooms are clean and all facilities function well. Free morning coffee and wireless internet are also provided.
General Information Address: I-79 at Steubenville Pike, Exit #60-A, 211 Beecham Drive, Pittsburgh, PA Phone: (412) 922-9400 Website: www.motel6.com
Other Accommodations Pittsburgh has more than enough rooms to house visitors even during the holidays. You can find abundant other no-frill but decent hotels/motels here. For more hotel information, you can refer to http://www.visitpittsburgh.com.
Comparing to the motels, most campgrounds in Pittsburgh are either too far to downtown area or are not much cheaper than motels. Among them, Raccoon Creek State Park Campground (3000 State Route 18, Hookstown, PA; 724-899-2200; $20 to $30 per day) should be the closest state campground located 32 miles west of Pittsburgh.
Gas: $90. The total driving distance is about 750 miles (1200 km). Expense is calculated based on 25 mpg (9.5 L/100km) fuel economy, $3 per gallon ($0.80 per litre). Food: $120. Expense for food is calculated based on cooking your own food whenever possible and eating at fast food chain stores while cooking is not an option Accommodations: $120. 2-day motel, $60 each day Admission: $130. Just Ducky Tour, $53; Nationality Rooms, $6; Carnegie Museums, $41; National Aviary, $28.5 Toll/Ferry/Parking: $10
Grand Total: $470
Note: All entrance fee is calculated based on two adults and one 8 year old kidDepreciation of vehicle is not taken into consideration in the calculationShopping expense is not included
Recommended Long Weekend: Canada Day; Civic Day; Labour Day; Canadian Thanksgiving Day
Pittsburgh area is rich mainly in historical and cultural attractions. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh offer four high-end museums while University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University are world renowned universities. All these museums and universities were originally funded by 
3. Mount Washington
4. Just Ducky Tour
The Cathedral of Learning is an educational building at University of Pittsburgh, located at Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Blvd., Oakland section of Pittsburgh. The entrance to Cathedral of Learning is on the Fifth Avenue side. 
The Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History are located just one block east of Cathedral of Learning on Forbes Street. The two museums are connected and included with one single admission. Try to arrive at the entrance once the museums are open (12:00 pm), or you don’t have enough time to finish both. 
1. National Aviary in Pittsburgh 
